5 Small Business Tips for Audit Protection

When it comes to sales & use tax for small to medium-sized businesses, it is critical to understand what makes you compliant, and what puts you at risk. In order to help you avoid an audit, we have put together a list of 5 things you need to know specific to your business:

1. Nexus

Determine the states in which you have nexus. Nexus definitions vary by state so it is important to research the rules for states in which you have any connection (doing business, sending salespeople, etc.)

2. Taxability

Know what and who are taxable or tax exempt.

3. Rates

Tax rates change frequently - approximately 600 changes a year. It is important to keep up with these rate changes to ensure you are collecting and remitting the correct amounts.

4. Sourcing

Should you be taxing based on the origin of your product/service or its destination? This distinction directly affects how much you collect and report to the state which needs to be accurate to avoid an audit.

5. Returns Filing & Remittance

Once you have ensured you (1) collected tax from all the necessary states, (2) on all necessary products/services, (3) at their origin or destination, (4) and at the correct rate, you need to (5) file & remit. This process can be complicated depending on the states returns filing & remittance rules. Some states require filing down to the jurisdiction level so be sure to do your due diligence.

The bottom line is that sales & use taxes are complex and continually changing. This can be challenging for SMB’s with limited resources, so automating this process proves to be very valuable – and cost-effective.